PEORIA — Nathan Leuthold took the stand Friday and told a Peoria County judge that he didn’t give police consent to search his house, his car, his laptop and his cellphone hours after his wife was found dead in a Mossville Avenue home.

Prosecutors disagree, and point to four forms that Leuthold, 38, signed that allowed the searches. Judge Kevin Lyons heard two hours of testimony and arguments Friday before taking the matter under advisement. A decision is expected late next week.

Leuthold allegedly fatally shot his wife, Denise, on Feb. 14, 2013, and then staged a break-in at their home to try to conceal his crime. Nathan Leuthold, whose address is listed as 700 W. Mossville Road, the home of his in-laws, faces at least 20 years and possibly up to life in prison if convicted. His trial on a charge of first-degree murder is set for July 14.

Also at issue was a letter, allegedly penned by Denise Leuthold, that was found in a day planner. In that letter, she purportedly states that she “knew he wanted to kill her.” Hugh Toner, Nathan Leuthold’s attorney, contends the letter was barred because of marital privilege, meaning it was a private conversation between husband and wife.

Prosecutor Jodi Hoos countered state law had an exception to that privilege when one spouse is accused of committing a violent act against the other. “And that is what we have here, clearly. He’s accused of murdering his wife,” she told Lyons.

Toner contended his client didn’t give knowing consent for the searches; a statement seemingly backed up by his client who testified that he signed blank “release” forms and didn’t know police would search his property. With regard to the laptop, he said police asked for his consent after he exercised his right to an attorney, which would rule that consent invalid on its face.

But Hoos and State’s Attorney Jerry Brady countered that Nathan Leuthold was too learned and too worldly not to know what he was doing when he signed the documents. Furthermore, Brady told Lyons, Nathan Leuthold didn’t do enough to stop questioning without a lawyer. Rather, the prosecutor said, the man merely asked if he should get an attorney.

While a motive for the killing has not been given, prosecutors presented evidence at Nathan Leuthold’s bond hearing that he apparently was involved with a Lithuanian woman who was in the United States for school. Hoos indicated to Lyons that she would likely testify for prosecutors at trial.

Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @andykravetz.